Delavay’s tree peony Paeonia delavayi
Delavay’s tree peony (Paeonia delavayi) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Paeoniaceae family, native to Yunnan, Sichuan and south-east Tibet. It grows 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) tall and 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Delavay’s tree peony at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Paeoniaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Yunnan, Sichuan and south-east Tibet |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇳 China, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Delavay’s tree peony toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: roots, bark, seeds
Peonies contain paeonol: eating them can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Delavay’s tree peony
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Delavay’s tree peony
- How far apart should I plant Delavay’s tree peony?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft).
- Does Delavay’s tree peony need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Delavay’s tree peony need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Delavay’s tree peony?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Delavay’s tree peony flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Delavay’s tree peony poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Peonies contain paeonol: eating them can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in pets.
- What grows well with Delavay’s tree peony?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Delavay’s tree peony. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A gaunt, suckering woody peony with deeply cut leaves and nodding, cup-shaped flowers of deep maroon-red (yellow in the forms once called P. lutea), half hidden in the foliage. Found by the French missionary Jean-Marie Delavay in 1884. Unlike most of this batch it is happy on chalk.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Peony Paeonia lactiflora
- Tree peony Paeonia suffruticosa
- Tibetan tree peony (Ludlow’s peony) Paeonia ludlowii
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius